The many trials and tribulations over the past few months have certainly taught us a lot. One of the most valuable lessons demonstrated is the importance of taking care of ourselves – both physically and mentally. While seniors continue to be most vulnerable to this distressing pandemic, a new report from the Centers for Disease… Read more »
When I created Desert Health 10 years ago, one of the primary objectives was to elevate the work of our valley’s naturopathic doctors. Their philosophy of identifying the root cause of disease versus simply treating symptoms and “whole- person care” approach, taking time to understand and address lifestyle patterns, is significantly more effective than the… Read more »
Have you ever been hiking and noticed the vibrancy of the colors around you? Or walked out in the morning to listen to birds singing and noticed how blue the sky? Maybe the memories of those moments are still clear in your mind and the thoughts warm your heart. Those are the times you are… Read more »
As I reflect on the last few months, I am inspired by how our staff at Desert Care Network hospitals have come together to care for our community during COVID-19. I also recognize that there are many members of our community who have postponed medical attention, or need treatment of new symptoms. It is our… Read more »
My phone is ringing and emails are pouring in from people worldwide who are exhausted from living with the fear, stress, anxiety, boredom, depression, uncertainty and fatigue of COVID-19. We’ve all spent months in our homes. We’re sick of social distancing with a mask. We stand in line to get into the store, try to… Read more »
As we age, it is common to experience memory loss. It’s also common to question whether these events are simply due to age or if dementia is setting in. Fortunately, assessments are available to help answer this question. Age-related changes in the brain can be documented on imaging such as changes in brain blood flow… Read more »
Take a moment to appreciate how often we use our knees. We use them every day whether we’re playing our favorite sport, going up the stairs at home, or simply walking around our neighborhood. As we age, our bodies start feeling the wear and tear of our joints, known as osteoarthritis. It’s estimated that roughly… Read more »
Varicose veins are enlarged serpentine veins underneath the skin of the legs. Whether your family has a history of varicose veins or you have only just discovered them, it is important to know the facts and what they could mean in the bigger picture of your health. Here are the facts to some common myths… Read more »
In 2020, not only has technology proven to be a vital resource in business, educational and governmental environments, it continues to serve as another potential replacement to jobs that were once firmly secured by a warm human brain. It was once thought that teachers could never be replaced. From the relationships they develop with their… Read more »
Electrolyte hydration drinks are big business. The market is valued at $1.5 billion per year and growing due to increased awareness about health and fitness, along with a desire to avoid carbonated beverages. But before you gulp down a Gatorade or Emergen-C, let’s discuss what electrolytes are, whether you need to supplement them and potential… Read more »
“However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered” is a Buddhist saying which seems particularly pertinent to being steady in our practices. It’s about showing up consistently and it’s during challenging times, such as this global pandemic, that we become aware of what we have harvested based upon choices we’ve previously… Read more »
Families across America are witnessing snapshots of high school seniors graduating respectably this year without prom or public ceremonies. The media has focused on Generation Z and the impact this moment has on young adults abruptly finishing school with absent closure and the unknown of how and when college commences. In many of the current… Read more »
I was all set to theme this article, “Is there light in the darkness?” when my beloved dog, Havi, passed away on June 8. He had been coughing and had a heart murmur for years, but after X-rays, it was deemed he had multiple issues. I just didn’t expect he would wake up and stumble… Read more »
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) estimates that more than 75 percent of doctor visits are related to stress while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Safety Council estimate this number to be closer to 90 percent.1, 2 Reasons for visits include, but are not limited to, insomnia, fatigue,… Read more »
Times are tough and the rawness of reality can be both cruel and surreal. With the uncomfortable dysfunction of the present and our unknown future, we have come to realize something needs to change, transform and transcend. It cannot go back to the way it was, as the way it was lends itself to why… Read more »
2020 has been challenging. These months of sheltering in place, cessation of our normal social activities and extra worry have increased anxiety and stress. In addition, there is a sense of uncertainty along with an extra expenditure of effort to get things done. Whether you have been working harder than previously or isolated from your… Read more »
Suicide has surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of injury-related deaths in the United States, especially for cancer patients and teens.1,2 What if we could change that? Integrative medicine expert Deepak Chopra, MD and a collaboration of mental health experts and activists have launched the Never Alone Summit to bring awareness and solutions… Read more »
Sometimes it takes a personal struggle and a hero emerging from it, to teach the rest of us (doctors included) that we can and should do better when it comes to our health. Terry Wahls, MD, founder of the Wahls Protocol, did not seek to practice medicine in a way other than how she was… Read more »
Merely using a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy doesn’t guarantee lasting health benefits; it’s a lot more complex than that. Equally important is selecting the right delivery method—meaning the way in which the hormones enter the body and find their way to appropriate receptors to perform their work. Not all bioidentical hormone treatments can effectively achieve… Read more »
Sleep is important for many reasons. During sleep our brain is hard at work cleaning up and organizing all of the activity from the day. The ideal amount of sleep for longevity, decreased risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia is 7 to 9 hours. Many people struggle with sleep issues… Read more »